Japanese album - Chikanobu - “Outside Chiyoda Palace” - “Chiyoda no on-omote” - Complete album of 31 triptychs and a hexaptych

Complete album of  31 triptychs and a hexaptych - Chikanobu’s “Chiyoda no on-omote”

“Outside Chiyoda Palace”

Toyohara Chikanobu (1838 – 1912)

Published by Fukuda Hatsujiro c1897

Complete album of 31 triptychs, a hexaptych and a diptych titlepage (101 Oban sheets in total)

Album 35 x 24cm approx

Oban format in double sided accordion album with original silk covers. Wear to album cover corners. Prints backed and mounted with strong colours but some toning.

Chikanobu is one of the best known artists of the Meiji period (1868-1912). Born a samurai, he fought for the shogunate against modernisation in the Boshin war in 1868, a precursor to the satsuma rebellion. In 1874, Chikanobu become an artist and studied under Kuniyoshi and Kunisada. He is known for his “modern” and Western interpretation on Japanese traditions.

The series covers events at Edo Castle in Chiyoda, Tokyo. During the period the series was produced, it was forbidden to depict the ruling Tokugawa family, and this series allowed a glimpse into life around the palace and royal family from times past.

The album includes an uncommon hexaptych of a procession of the Shogun outside the castle walls. Fascinating triptychs scenes depict Kendo, hunting scenes, and archery. An elephant parade and boating scenes are particularly beautiful images in the series. The title page is tastefully composed with cranes surrounding the list of triptychs.